I have heard of STORMZY. Should that be a surprise? I don’t know. I know very little about rap/grime. Apart from what I hear of it and about it from my musically informed young folk. I know some of (or many of) the lyrics can be ‘ah ookay, did I just hear that‘!

I sat watching Graham Norton interview some celebs recently, I wasn’t finding it particularly inspiring. No offence intended to Mr Norton or celebs. It was just one of those nights and I was tired. (Just for a change, lol!)

I had finished my mint tea and evening treat of some chocolate. I know how to live! Doggo was snoozing and so was my husband. Should I hang on for the music and big red chair or not? I did.

The music begins. Ooh. It’s STORMZY. I’ve heard of him! He’s about to do something amazing.

He is openly declaring his faith in Christ via the vehicle of music on a Friday night on national television! Not in a sugary sweet way. Not in an aggressive or uber cool way. But in a vulnerable this is the declaration of who I am even though my motives seem to be misinterpreted. And yes I question, and it’s not all about me kind of way.

Song link ➡ STORMZY – CROWN

That’s the thing about faith life. It’s not an automatic green light to a trouble free life. You know the direction to go in, but there are still challenges.

And yes we are challenged, we question and debate in our hearts and minds with God about this, that and everything. Equally it’s not something to be hidden, or apologise for. Faith in Christ literally changes your life and you basically find it virtually impossible to stay quiet about it.

Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

I’m now aware of two songs by Stormzy, declaring his faith.

Song link ➡ STORMZY – BLINDED BY YOUR GRACE FT. MNEK

Many years ago when I told my then employer I was preparing to be baptised. I was asked if I was ‘one of those born again Christians’. I wasn’t equipped to answer that at the time, and had waited almost 30 years to make the decision. Not far off 30 years later, I am!

2Corinthians 5:17 NIV

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

I often kid with my young folk of the methods I could find for them to be baptised by stealth. By text message, by breakfast, by saying grace, by a worship song link, by postcard, by osmosis. The list is endless. And I continue to joke with them.

Of course, that isn’t the way baptism works at all. Well, grace has everything to do with it. And we’re of the camp where they decide for themselves. Not us decide for them. It’s about choice.

They often say to me, after having wrestled with some situation or another. ‘Aaaagh!!! Why did you raise us to have a conscience’? I breath a sigh of relief. We’ve done ok. Thank you God.

Yes, I’ve heard of STORMZY, and I am behind the times yet again I know. But I hope many other folk hear about him too.

Thanks so much for popping by and have a blessed day.🌸

Penny @hopefoundinme

STORMZY – CROWN

Stormzy – the chart topping rapper who wears his faith on his sleeve (Premiere)

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.”

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.